Air conditioning system



April 15, 1941. is. LocKE' I AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed March 13, 1937 JIzveTaOr James 8. L oeZe Patented Apr. 15, 1941 2,238,689 AIR CONDITIONING srs'rau James S. Locke, Minneapolis, Minn., asaignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application March '13. 1931, Serial No. 130,706

15 Claims.

" This invention relates to air conditioning systems in general and more particularly to zone air conditioning systems fora building.

It has been extremely difllcult in the past to provide a zone air conditioning system for a building wherein one zoneof the building may be demanding cooling while the other zones may be demanding heating. This is especially true where it is desirable to have a single air conditioning unit for all of the zones.

, It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones wherein one air conditioning unit may be utilized to condition all of the zones and to supply heating to any zone that demands heating and at the same time to supply cooling to any other zone that demands cooling.

In carrying out this feature of this invention the'air conditioning unit is divided into a plurality of chambers, one chamber for each zone. Ducts connect each chamber with its respective zone. A fan forces air through the chambers and the ducts to the various zones. Partitions are utilized for dividing each chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage, and aby-passage. Heating means are provided in the heating passages and cooling means are ing for cooling without .both heating and cooling the air delivered to the zone. This arrangement also forms objects of this invention.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawing.

For a more thorough understanding of this invention reference is made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a vertical sectional view through an air conditioning unit along with a schematic showing of a control system for controlling the operation of the air conditioning unit.

Figure 2 illustrates ahorizontal sectional view through the air conditioning unit along with a schematic showing of the manner in which fresh or outside air delivered to the air conditioning unit is tempered in the winter time.

A single air conditioning unit for delivering conditioned air tothree zones of a building is generally designated at III. This air conditioning unit ll (Figure 2) is divided by two vertical partitions II and I2 into three zone passages or chambers l3, l4 and I5. Zone passage 13 delivers conditioned air to a zone A, the zone passage II to a zone B and the zone passage iii to a zone C. Although three zone passages are utilized for purposes of illustration it is to be understood that any number of these passages may be utilized. The air conditioning unit I0 is also divided by two horizontal partitions l6 and I1 (Figure 1) into three horizontal passages II, I! and 20. For purposes of illustration the horizontal passage I8 is termed a cooling passage, the horizontal passage I9 is termed a by-pass or tempering passage and the horizontal passage 20 is termed a heating passage. From this it is seen that the air conditioning unit is divided into three vertical zone passages and that each zone passage is divided into three horizontal passages, comprising a heating passage, a by-pass passage and a cooling passage. I

A fan 22 receives return air from areturn air duct 23 and fresh or outside air from a fresh air duct 2!, mixes this air and delivers it to the air conditioning unit Ill. The proportions of fresh air and return air utilized may be controlled by a damper 25 located in the fresh air duct. The damper 25 may be controlled manually or automatically in any desired manner. The fan forces the air through the various passagesin the air conditioning unit Ill and delivers conditioned air to the various zones of the building.

As will be noted in Figure 1 the horizontal partitions I6 and i1 extend beyond the vertical partitions Ii and I! so that the cooling, by-pass' and heating passages for all three zones are co 7 mon atthis point. Located in the cooling pas-' sage it at this common point is a-cooling coil 21 which is ,common to all of the zone passages 13, H and ii. The cooling coil 21 is shown for purposes of illustration to being a direct expansion cooling coil. Expanding refrigerant is withdrawn fromthe cooling coil 21 by a compressor 28 driven by an electric motor 29. Compressed refrigerant is delivered by the compressor 28 to a condenser 30. Condensed refrigerant passes from the con- 7 denser 30 through an expansion valve 3| into the cooling coil 21. Cooling of the air passing through the cooling passages of the three zone passages ll, I4 and It is therefore provided.

l5. Heating fluid which may be in the form of steam is supplied to the heating coil 33 through a pipe 34 under the'control of a valve 35. The valve 35 is operated by a motor 36, the arrangement being such that when the motor 36 is energized the valve 35 is opened wide and whenthe motor is deenergized the valve 35 is closed by means of springs, gravity or other means (not shown). In this manner the heating coil 33 is capable of heating air delivered to all of the zones.

Each zone passage is provided with a plurality of dampers and the dampers of the various zone passages are operated independently of each other. In other words the dampers for the zone passage |3 are operated independently of the dampers for the zone passage M as are the dampers of the zone passage I5. The zone passage I3 is provided with a damper 39 in the cooling passage I8 and a damper 40 in the by-pass or tempering passage I9. The dampers 39 and 40 are operated through crank arms 4| and 42, a link 43 and a crank arm 44 by a proportioning motor 45. The proportioning motor 45 may be of the. type 'shown and described in application Serial No. 673,236 filed by L. L. Cunningham on May 27, 1933 or may be of the type shown and described in Patent No. 2,028,110' granted to D. G. Taylor on Jan. 14, 1936. The dampers 39 and 48 are so arranged that when the damper 39 is moved towards a closed position the damper 49 is moved correspondingly towards an open position and vice versa. Therefore the flow through the two passages I8 and I9 may be maintained substantially constant while the relative proportions of cooled air and by-passed air may be varied.

The zone passage |3 for zone A isiaiso provided with a damper 41 in the heating passage and a damper 48 in the by-pass passage IS. The dampe s 41 and 48 are operated through crank arms 49 and 59, a link 5| and a crank arm 52 by a'proportioning motor 53 which may be similar to the proportioning motor 45. The dampers 41 and 48 are also so arranged that when the damper 48 ismoved toward a closed position the damper 41 is correspondingly moved toward an open position and vice versa. Therefore the total flow of air through the passages l9 and 28 may be maintained substantially constant while the relative proportions of by-passed air and heated air may be varied.

Each of the zone passages l4 and I5 for zones B and C are provided with dampers in the cooling passage, the by-pass passage and the heating passage identical to those provided in the zone passage |3 for zone A. The dampers in the zone 4 passage H for the zone B are controlled by proportioning motors in exactly the same manner as the dampers for zone A and also the dampers for zone C are controlled similarly by proportioning motors. The proportioning motors for zones A. B and C are controlled independently, that is, the proportioning motors and the dampers for zone A are' controlled in accordance with conditions existing in zone A of the building, the proportioning motors and dampers for zone B are controlled in accordance with the conditions existing within zone B and similarly the proportioning motors and dampers for zone C are controlled in accordance with the conditions existing within zone C.

The proportioning motor 45 which operates the dampers 39 and 40 for zone A may comprise a shaft 55 for operating the crank arm 44. The shaft 55 is rotated through a reduction gear train relative humidity conditions existing withln' 56 by motor rotors 51 and 58. The motor rotors 51 and 58 are in turn controlled by field windings 59 and 60, the arrangement being such that when field winding 60 is energized the damper 39 is moved toward an open position and the damper 40 is moved towards a closed position. When the field winding 59 is energized the damper 39 is moved towarda closed position and the damper 40 is moved towards an open position. The shaft 55 also operates an abutment member 6| which is adapted to open limit switches 62 and 63 when the damper 39 is moved to a full open position or a full closed position respectively. The shaft 55 also operates a slider 64 with respect to a resistance element 65. The slider 64 and the resistance element 65 form a balancing potentiometer. When the damper 39 is moved toward an open position the slider 64 is movedtoward the left and when the damper 39 is moved toward a closed position the slider 64 is moved toward the right. The shaft 55 also operates a cam 66 which in turn operates a mercury switch 61. The arrangement is such that when the damper 39 is in a closed position the switch 61 is open but when the damper 39 moves out of the. closed position towards an open position the switch 61 is closed.

The direction of operation of the proportioning motor 45 is controlled by a relay generally designated at 19. The relay 10 may comprise series connected relay coils 1| and 12 for influencing an armature 13. The armature 13 operates a switch arm 14 with respectto contacts 15 and 16. Line wires 18 and 19 leading from a source of power (not shown) are connected to a primary 89 of a step-down transformer 8|. The secondary 82 of the transformer 8| is connected to the left and right ends respectively of the relay coils 1| and 12. Therefore the relay coils 1| and 12 are connected across a source of power. When the relay coil 1| is energized more than the relay coil 12 the switch arm 14 is moved into engagement with the contact 15 and when the relay coil 12 is energized more than the relay coil 1| the switch arm 14 is moved into engagement with the contact 16. When the relay coils 1| and 12 are equally energized the switch arm 14 is maintained spaced midway between the contacts 15 and 16 as shown in Figure 1.

The relay 10 is controlled by a temperature responsive controller 85 located in zone A so as to respond to temperature conditions within zone A. The relay 18 is also controlled by a temperature responsive compensator 86 responsive to variations in outdoor temperature. Further the relay 19 is controlled by a humidityresponsive controller 81 located in zone A so as to respond to zone A.

The zone temperat'ureresponsive controller 85 may comprise a bellows 88 containing a volatile fluid for operating a slider'89 with respect to a resistance element 99 and a center tap resistance element 9|. The slider 89 and the resistance element 90 form a control potentiometer while the slider 89 and the resistance element 9| form an equalizing resistance. Upon an increase in temperature in the .zone A, the slider-89 is moved to the right with respect to the resistance element 90 in the direction indicated by the character H and upon a decrease in zone temperature the slider 89 is moved to the left in the direction indicated by the character C. The outdoor.temperature responsive compensator 96 may comprise a bellows 92 connected by a capillary tube 93 to a bulb 94. The bulb 94 contains a volatile fluid and may be located in the outside or fresh air duct 24 so as to be affected by variations in outdoor tem-.

perature. The bellows 92 operates a slider 95 with respect to a resistance element 96. The slider 95 and the resistance element 96 form a compensating potentiometer. Upon an increase in outdoor temperature the slider 95 is moved to "the left in the direction indicated by thecharacter H and upon a decrease in outdoor temperature the slider 95 is moved to the right in the direction indicated by the character C. The zone relative humidity responsive controller 91 may comprise a humidity responsive element 91 acting against he action of a spring 99 for moving a slider 99 with respect to a resistance element 91. Upon an increase in zone relative humidity the slider 99 is moved towards the right in the direction indicated by the character W and upon a decrease in relative humidity the slider 99 is moved towards the left in the direction indicated by the character D. The slider 99 is normally in the left hand position as shown in Figure 1, but as the relative humidity in the zone A becomes excessive the slider 99 is moved towards the right.

' The left end of the relay coil 1| is connected by wires I02, I03, I04 and I to the left ends of 'the resistance elements 90 and 96. The right end of the relay coil 12 is connected by wires I06, I01, I09 and I09 to the right ends of the resistance elements 90 and 96. The right end of the relay coil 12 is also connected by wires I06, I08 and 0, a protective resistance III and wire II2 to the. right end of the resistance element I00. The left and right ends respectively of the relay coils 1| and 12 are also connected by Wires-H3 and II4 to the leftand right ends respectively of the resistance element 65 of the balancing potentiometer. The junction of the relay coils .II and 12 are connected by wires H5, H6 and 1, a resistance element 9 and a wire 9 to the slider 99 of the humidity responsive controller and the slider 64 of the balancing potentiometer. The left end of the resistance element I00 of the I humidity responsive controller 91 is connected by wires I and I2I, a variable resistance I22 and a wire I23 to the slider 95 of the compensating potentiometer. The junction of wires I20 and |2| is connected by wires I24 and I25 to the center tap of the resistance element 9|.

sistance I26 to the junction of wires I03 and I04. With the'slider 99 of the humidity responsive controller 91 in the position shown in Figure 1 it tentiometer of the outdoor temperature respon:

sive controller 86' and the balancing potentiometer operated by the motor are connected in parallel with relay coils 1| and 12 and across the secondary 92. The resistance I00 of the humidity responsive controller and the protective resistance III which are connected in series with respect to each other are connected in parallel with the relay coil 12 and the resistance I26 is nected in parallel with the relay coil 1|. The resistance I26 is so selected that the resistance value thereof is equal to the sum of the resistance values of the protective resistance III and the resistance I00 of the humidity responsive controller 91. Therefore, when the slider 9901 the The junction of wires I24 and I25 is connected by a reother line wire 11.

of the slider 64 of the balancing potentiometer to humidity responsive controller 91 is in the ex-. treme left position, as shown, the resistances I60, III and I26 have no unbalancing eflect upon the operation of the relay coils 1| and 12.

Assume the parts in the position shown in Figure 1 with the slider 99 of the humidity responsive controller 91 in the extreme left position and omit for the-time being the operation of the outdoor temperature responsive compensator 96. An increase in zone temperature causes right hand movement of the slider 99 of the temperature responsive controller 95 to partially short circuit the relay coil 12 to decrease the energization thereof and increase the energization of the relay coil 1|. The switch arm 14 thereupon moves into engagement with the contact 15 to complete a circuit from the line wire 19 through wire I21, switch arm 14, contact 15, wire I29, limit switch 62, wire I29, field winding 50 and wire I30 back to the other line wire 19. Completion of this circuit energizes the field winding- 60 to operate the proportioning motor 45 in a direction to move the damper 39 towards an open position and the damper 40 towards a closed position. This increases the amount of cooled air and decreases the amount of by-passed air delivered to the space. Operation of the propor tioning motor 45 in this direction causes left hand movement of the slider 64 to decrease the energization of the relay coil 1| and increase the energization of the relay coil 12. When theslider 64 has moved sufllciently far to the left to rebalance the energization of the relay coils 1| and 12 the switch arm 14 is moved out of engagement with the contact 15 to break the circuit through the field windingv 60 whereupon further operation of the motor 45 is interrupted. In this manner the damper 39 is modulated toward an open position and the damper 40 is modulated toward a closed position in direct accordance with the amount of increase in zone temperature.

Upon a decrease in zone temperature the slider 99 of the zone temperature responsive controller moves tothe left to decrease the energization of the relay coil 1| and decrease the energization of therelay coil12. As a result the switch arm ,14 engages the contact 16 to complete a circuit from the line wire 19 through wire I21, switch arm 14; contact 16, wire I3I, limit switch 63, wire I32, field winding 59 and wire I30 back to the Completion of this circuit energizes the field winding 59 to operate the proportioning motor 45 in a direction which moves the damper 39 towards a closed position and moves the damper 40 towards an open'position. This decreases the amount of cooled air andincreases the amount of by-passed air delivered to the zone. Operation of the proportioning motor 45 in this direction causes right hand movement decrease the energizaztion of the relay coil 12 and increase the energization of the relay coil 1|. When the slider 64 has moved sufiiciently far to the right to rebalance theenergization of the re- The resistance 9 in series with'the slider 64 of the balancing potentiometer performs, two

functions, that'of a protective resistance and that of desensitizing the rebalancing action .of the balancing potentiometer. By reason of this, the slider 89 of the control potentiometer need only move through the control range X to cause complete operation of the proportioning motor from one extreme position to the other. Therefore the temperature within the zone A is maintained within narrow temperature limits indicated by range X. The potentiometer of the outdoor compensator 86 is connected in parallel with the control potentiometer and the relay coil 1| and 12. Upon an increase in outdoor temperature the slider 95 moves to the left to decrease the energization of the relay coil 1| and increase the energization of the relay coil 12 which tends to close the damper 39 and open the damper 48 to decrease the temperature of the air delivered to the zone. In a like manner a decrease in outdoor temperature tends to decrease the temperature of the air delivered to the zone. The variable resistance I22 in series with the slider 95 acts to. desensitize the controlling action of the compensating potentiometer so that the main control is provided by the zone temperature responsive controller 85. The outdoor temperature responsive compensator 86 therefore acts to shift the control range X of the zone temperature responsive controller 85. As the outdoor temperature rises the control range X is moved toward the right so that higher temperatures are maintained within zone A. Likewise upon a decrease in outdoor temperature the outdoor temperature responsive compensator operates to shift the control range X to the left so that lower temperatures are maintained within zone A. In other words the two controllers 85 and 86 operate to maintain a desired temperature within zone A which temperature is adjusted in accordance with outdoor temperatures. 7

If the relative humidity in zone A becomes excessive, the slider 99 of the relative humidity responsive controller 81 moves toward the right. Right hand movement of the slider 99 decreases the resistance in parallel with the relay coil 12 and increases the resistance in parallel with the relay coil 1| to increase the energization of the relay coil -1| and decrease the energization of the relay coil 12. This causes movement of the damper 39 towards an open position and movement of the damper 48 towards a closed position to decrease the temperature of the air delivered to the zone. Also movement of the slider 99 of the humidity responsive controller 81 toward the right places resistance in series with the sliders 89 and 95 of the two temperature responsive controllers 85 and 86. This desensitizes the controlling action of the two temperature responsive controllers 85 and 86 and gradually renders these temperature responsive controllers ineffective to control the operation of theproportioning motor 45. This desensitizing action increases as the relative humidity becomes more and more excessive. Until such time as the slider 99 of the relative humidity responsive controller reaches the extreme right hand position. When the slider 99 reaches this position the damper 39 is opened wide and the damper 48 is closed so that substantially all cold air is delivered to the zone. The temperature control of the dampers 39 and 48 is at this time rendered ineffective.

By reason of the above construction the dampers 39 and 48 are operated to maintain desired temperatures within zone A which temperatures are adjusted in accordance with outdoor temperatures as long as the zone relative humidity remains below a given value. As the zone relative humidity becomes excessive the control of the dampers 39 and 48 is gradually taken away from the temperature responsive controllers. and 86 and the dampers are moved to positions to increase the supply of cold air delivered to the space for dehumidification purposes until the zone relative humidity becomes normal and the control of the dampers 39 and 48 is returned to the temperature responsive controllers 85 and 86 to maintain the desired temperatures within the space.

The proportioning motor 53 which controls the operation of the dampers 41 and 48 for zone A is controlled by a zone temperature responsive controller generally designated at I35. This zone temperature responsive'controller I35 may comprise a bellows I36 containing. a volatile fluid for operating a slider I31 with respect to a resistance element I 38. The slider I31 and the resistance element I38 are connected by wires I39, I48 and MI to'the proportioning motor I53 to position the motor in accordance with variations in zone temperature. Upon an increase in zone temperature the slider I31 moves to the left in the direction indicated by the character H to move the damper 41 toward a closed position and move the damper 48 toward an open position in accordance with the amount of increase in space temperature. Upon a decrease in pace temperature the slider I31 is moved toward the right to move the damper 48 towards a closed position and the damper 41 towards an open position in accordance with the amount of decrease in space temperature. Movement-of the damper 48 towards a closed position and the damper 41 towards an open position increases the temperature of the air delivered to the zone and vice versa movement of the damper 48 towards an open position and movement of the damper 41 towards a closed position decreases the temperature of the air delivered to zone A.

The temperature settings of the zone temperatures responsive controllers 85 and I35 are such that over-lapping operation of the dampers controlled thereby is prevented. For purposes of illustration it is assumed that the temperature limits of the zone temperature responsive controller I35 are to 72, and that the zone temperature limits for the zone temperature responsive controller 85 are 75 to With these temperature limits it is now assumed that the zone and the damper 48 is closed. Under these con-' ditions only heated air is delivered to zone A. As the temperature of 'zone A increases the damper 41 moves towards a closed position and the damper 48 moves towards an open position to decrease the amount of heated air and increase the amount of by-passed air delivered to zone A. When the zone temperature rises to.

72 the slider I31 will assume the left hand position as shown in Figure 1 and the damper 48 will be wide open and the damper 41 will be closed whereupon all by-passed air is delivered to zone A. By-passed air will be continued to be delivered to zone A until the zonetemperature increases to a value which causes movement of the slider 89 of the zone temperature responsive controller 85 away from the left end of the control range X. As the slider 89 moves towards the right through the control range X the damper 49 is moved toward a closed position and the damper 39 is moved toward an open position to increase the amount of cold air delivered to the zone and decrease the amount of by-passed air delivered to the zone. This'operation will occur until such time as the slider 89 reaches the right end of the control range X whereupon the damper 49 will be completely closed and the damper 39 will be completely open to supply all cold air to the zone A.

Since the lower temperature limit of the zone temperature responsive controller 85 is 75 and since the upper temperature limitof the zone temperature responsive controller I35 is 72, normally cold air and heated air cannot be delivered to the zone A at the same time. If, however, the relative humidity of the zone A becomes excessive so as to cause opening of the damper 39 and closing of the damper 49 to deliver cold air to the zone for dehumidification purposes and the zone temperature should decrease below 72 thedamper 41 will be moved toward an open position to supply heated air to the zone for reheating purposes.

The temperature and humidity control of zones B and C are exactly the same as that of zone A and therefore a further description is not considered necessary. However, it is pointed out that zones A, B and C are independently controlled so that it is possible to be-cooling 'zoneA andbe heating zone B at the same time. This mode of operation, that is cooling in one zone and heating in another zone from a single air conditioning unit is not readily or economically accomplished by the structures of the prior art and therefore this forms a salientfeature of this invention.

If desired, heating fluid may be at all times supplied to the heating coil 33 and refrigerant may at all times be supplied .to the cooling coil I 21 and satisfactory operation would be provided.

However, for economical reasons it is better to stop the supply of heating fluid to the heating coil 33 ifall of the dampers in the heating passages are closed indicating that there is no demand for heating. Also, it is better to stop the suppy of refrigerant to the cooling coil 21 if all of the dampers 39 in the cooling passage are closed.- Therefore when there is no demand for heating or cooling the heating means and the cooling means may be rendered inoperative.

The compressor motor 29 may be controlled by a suction pressure controller I having a bellows I46 connected by apipe I41 to the suction line of the refrigerating apparatus. The bellows I46 operates against a spring I48 to close a mercury switch I49 when thesuction pressure passage of zone C operates a mercury switch I54 in such a manner to close the mercury switch when the damper is moved away from a closed position. Power is supplied to the compressor motor 29 by line wires I55 and I51 leading from some source of power not shown. Assume now that the suction pressure increases .to close the switch I49 and that the damper 39 of zone .A is moved away from the closed position, the mercury switch 61 controlled by the proportioning motor 45 is closed to complete a circuit from the line wire I56 through wires I58 and I59, mercury switch 61, wires I69 and I6I, mercury switch I49, wire I62, electric motor 29 and wire I53 back to the other line wire I51. Completion of this circuit causes operation of the compressor motor 29 and when the suction pressure decreases below a. predetermined value the switch I49 opens to stop operation of the compressor. The switches I49 and 61 are connected in series so that both switches must close in order to start the compressor motor 29. The switches I52 and I54 are connected in parallel with the switch 61' by wires I64, I65, I66 and I61. These three switches 61, I52 and I 54, although they are located in parallel with each other, are located in series with the switch I49, therefore when any of the dampers in the cooling passages open the compressor motor 29 is placed under control of the suction pressure controller I45 to supply refrigerant to the cooling coil 21. If none of the dampers in the cooling passages are opened it is impossible to operate the refrigerating apparatus. 3 I

The proportioning-motor 53 which operates the dampers 41 and 48 of zone A also operates a cam I19 which in turn operates a mercury switch I1I Similarly the proportioning motor for zone B operates a. cam I12 for opening and closing a mercury switch I13; The cam I14 which opens and closes the switch 'I15 is operated by the pro-' portioning motor which controls the dampers of zone C. These switches I1I,.I13 and I15'are so arranged that they are closed whenever their respective dampers in the" heating passage are moved away from a closed position. Power is supplied to the motor 36 which controls the supsupply heating fluid to the heating coil 33. The switches I13 and I15 are connected in parallel with the switch "I so that if any of theme. switches are closed, heating fluid is supplied "0 the heating coil 33. If the dampers in the heating passages of the three zones are all closed indicating that there is no. demand for heating the valve 35 will be closed to prevent the supply ofheating fluid to the. heating coil 33.

During the wintertime the outside or fresh air delivered to the air conditioning unit may be tempered by a heating coil I85. Heatingfluid is supplied to the heating. coil I through a pipe I86 under the control of avalve I81. The valve I81 may be operated by a proportioning motor I88 in all respects similar to-the proportioning motor 45. Proportionin'g motor I88 is controlled by a temperature responsive controller I89 comprising a bellows I99 connected by a capillary tube I9I to a bulb I92 located in the air conditioning unit on the discharge side of the fan 22. The bellows" to move a slider I94 with respect to a resistance 7 element I 95. The slider I94 and the resistance element I95 form a control potentiometer for the proportioning motor I88. 1 Proportioningfmotor I88 is positioned by the temperature responsive controller I89 to modulate the supply of heating 3. In an air conditioning system for a buildinghaving a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the subchamber and the ducts to the various zones, partitions dividing each sub-chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage and a bypass passage, heating means for the heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages,

. damper means for each sub-chamber for controlis supplied by a motor 203 which when energized opens the valve 202. The motor 203 is controlled by a temperature responsive controller 204 comprising a bellows 205 connected by a capillary tube 206 to a bulb 201 located in the outside air duct 24. The bellows 205 operates against a spring 208 to open and close a mercury switch 209. The temperature responsive controller is so arranged that when the outdoor temperature falls below 32 the switch 209 is closed to energize the motor 203 which opens the valve 202 to supply heating fluid to the heating coil 200. This therefore as pointed out above provides protection against freezing of the heating coil I85.

' Although for purposes of illustration Ihave shown one form of my invention, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this specification and therefore thisinvention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an air conditioning system, the combination of an air conditioning chamber divided into three parallel passages for conditioning air for a space, means for circulating air through the three passages and to the space to be conditioned, heating means in one of said passages, cooling means in another of said passages, the remaining passage forming a by-pass passage, damper means controlling the flow of air through the by-pass passage and the passage containing the heating means, the arrangement being such that as the flow of air through the passage containing the heating means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, damper means controlling the flow of air through the by-pass f passage and the passage containing the cooling means, the arrangement being such that as the [flow of air through the passage containing the V cooling means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased and means for .,,maintaining'the space temperature at desired *values comprising means for controlling both damper means inaccordance with space temperaf; ture to properly proportion the flow of air through j, the passages.

2." In an air'conditioning system for a building I having a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the subchambers and the ducts to the various zones, partitionsi dividing each sub-chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage and a by-pass passage, heating means for. the heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages, and damper means for each sub-chamber for controlling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber.

ling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber and means responsive to the temperature of each zone for controlling the damper means associated with that zone whereby desired temperatures are maintained in the various zones.

4. In an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the sub-chambers and the ducts to the various zones, partitions dividing each sub-chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage'and a by-pass passage, heating means for the heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages, and damper means for each sub-chamber for controlling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber, said damper means including dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the by-pass passage and the heating passage and dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the by-pass passage and the cooling passage.

5. In an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a subchamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the sub-.

passages of that sub-chamber, said damper means including dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the by-pass passage 7 and the heating passage and dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the bypass passage and the cooling passage and means responsive to the temperature of each zone for controlling the damper means associated with that zone whereby desired temperatures are maintained in the various zones.

6. In an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the subchambers and the ducts to the various zones, partitions dividingeach sub-chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage and a by-pass passage, heating means for the heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages, damper means for each sub-chamber for controlling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber, said damper relative flow ofair through the by-pass passage and the heating passage and dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the bypass passage and the cooling passage, means for placing the heating means in operation when any of the dampers are positioned to permit a flow of air through any of the heating passages, and means for placing the cooling means in oper-' ation when any of the dampers are positioned to permit a flow of air through any of the cooling passages.-

"I. In an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones to be conditioned. the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the subchambers and the ducts to the various zones, partitions dividing each sub-chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage and a by-pass passage, heating means for the is heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages, damper means, for each sub-chamber for controlling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber, said damper means including dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the by-pass passage and the heating passage and dampers for controlling the relative fiow of air through the bypass passage and the cooling passage, means for placing the heating means in operation when any of the dampers are positioned to permit a flow of air through any of the heating passages, means for placing the cooling means in operation when any of the dampers are positioned to permit a flow of air through any of the cooling passages and means responsive to the temperpartitions dividing each sub-chamber into. three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage and 'a by-pass passage, heating means 'for the heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages, damper means for each sub-chamber for controlling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber, said damper means including dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the by-pass passage and the heating passage and dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the bypass passage and the cooling passage and means responsive to the temperature of each zone for controlling the damper means associated with that zone to pass substantially all of the air through the cooling passage when the 'temperature of that zone is high, to decrease the flow of air through the cooling passage and to increase the flow of air through the by-passpassage as the temperature of the zone decreases until the zone temperature reaches an intermediate value whereupon substantially all of the air is passed through the by pass passage, and to decrease the flow of air through the by-pass passage and increase the flow of air through the heating passage as the zone temperature decreases further until the zone temperature reaches a low value 1 whereupon substantially all of the air is passed through the heating passage.

9. In 'an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means for forcing air through the subchambers and the ducts to the various zones, partitions dividing each sub-chamber into three passages, a heating passage, a cooling passage and a by-pass passage, heating means for the heating passages, cooling means for the cooling passages, damper means for each sub-chamber for controlling the flow of air through the three passages of that sub-chamber, said damper means including dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the by-pass passage and the heatin passage and dampers for controlling the relative flow of air through the bypass passage and the cooling passage and means responsive to the temperature of each zone for controlling the damper means associated with that zone to pass substantially all of the air through the cooling passage when the temperature of that zone is high, to decrease the flow of air through the cooling passage and to increase the flow of air through the by-pass passage as the temperature of the zone decreases until the zone temperature reaches an intermediate value whereupon substantially all of the air is passed through the by-pass passage, to decrease the flow of air through the by-pass passage and increase the flow of air through the heating passage as the zone temperature decreases further until the zone temperature reachesa low value whereupon substantially all of the air is passed through the heating passage, means for placing the heating means in operation when any of the dampers are positioned to permit a flow of air through any of the heating passages, and means for placing the cooling means in operation when any of the dampers are positioned to permit a flow of air through any of the cooling passages.

10. In an air conditioning system for a building having a plurality of zones to be conditioned, the combination of an air conditioning chamber including 'a sub-chamber for each zone, ducts connecting each sub-chamber with its respective zone, means ifor causing a circulation of air through the sub-chambers and the ducts to the various zones, means dividing each sub-chamber into a conditioning passage and aby-pass passage, means for conditioning the air passing through the conditioning passages, damper means for each sub-chamber for proportioning the flow of air through the passages, means responsive to the condition being maintained in each of the zones for controlling the dampers for the respective zones, and means responsive to operation of any of said dampers to permit flow of air past the conditioning means to cause operation of the" conditioning means.

11. In an air conditioning system for air conditioning a space, the combination of, an air conditioning chamber divided into three parallel passages, means for circulating air through the three passages and to the space to be conditioned, heating means in one of the passages for heating the space, cooling means in another of the passages for cooling the space, the remaining pase forming a bar-p passage, damper means for controlling the flow of air through the rep ctive passages, means for placing th heating means in operation when the damper means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the heating means, means for placing the cooling means in operation when the damper means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the cooling means, and means for maintaining the space temperature at desired values comprising means responsive to the temperature of the space for controlling the damper means to proportion properly the flow of air through the passages,

12. In an air conditioning system for air conditioning a space, the combination of, an air conditioning chamber divided into three parallel passages, means for circulating air through the three passages and to the space to be conditioned, heating means in one of the passages for heating the space, cooling means in another of the passages for cooling and dehumidifying the space, the remaining passage forming a by-pass passage, damper means for controlling the flow of air through the-respective passages, means for placing the heating means in operation when the damper means arepositioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the heating means, means for placing the cooling means in operation when the damper means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the cooling means, and means for maintaining the dry bulb and relative humidity conditions of the space at desired values comprising means responsive to the space dry bulb temperature and relative humidity for controlling the damper means to proportion properly the flow of air through the passages.

13. In an air conditioning system, the combination of an air conditioning chamber divided into three parallel passages forconditioning air -for a space, means for circulating air through the three passages and to the space to be conditioned, heating means in one of said passages, cooling means in another of said passages, the remaining passage forming a by-pass passage, first damper means controlling the flow of air through the by-pass passage and the passage containing the heating means, the arrangement being such that as the fiow of air through the passage containing the heating means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, second damper means control- 7 ling the flow of air through the by-pass passage and the passage containing the cooling means, the arrangement beingsuch that as the flow of air through the passage containing the cooling means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, means for placing theheating means in operation when the first damper-means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the heating means, means for placing the cooling means in operation when the second damper means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the cooling means, and means for maintaining the space temperature at desired values comprising means for controlling both damper means in accordance with space temperature to proportion properly the flow of air through the passages.

14. In an air conditioning system, the combination of an air conditioning chamber divided into three parallel passages for conditioning air for a space, means for circulating air through the three passages and to the space to be conditioned, heating means in one of said passages, cooling and dehumidifying means in another of said passages, the remaining passage forming a by-pass passage, first damper means controlling the flow of air through the by-pass passage and the passage containing the heating means, the arrangement being such that as the flow of air through the passage containing the heating means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, second damper means controlling the ,flow of air through the by-pass passage and the passage containing the cooling means, the arrangement being such that as the flow of air through the passage containing the cooling means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, and means for maintaining the dry bulb and relative humidity conditions of the space at desired values comprising means responsive to the space dry bulb temperature and relative humidity for controlling both damper means to proportion properly the flow of air through the passages.

15. In an air conditioning system, the combination of an air conditioning chamber divided into three parallel passages for conditioning air for a' space, means for circulating air through the three passagesand to the space to be conditioned, heating means in one of said passages, cooling and dehumidifying means in another of said passages, the remaining passage forming a by-pass passage, first damper means controlling the flow of air through the by-pass passage and the passage containing the heating means, the arrangement being such that as the flow of air through the passage containing the heating means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, second damper means controlling the flow of air through the by-pass passage and thepassage containing the cooling means, the arrangement being such that as the flow of air through the passage containing the cooling means is increased the flow of air through the by-pass passage is decreased, means for placing the heating means in operation when the first damper means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the heating means, means for placing the cooling and dehumidifying means in operation when the second damper means are positioned to cause a flow of air through the passage containing the cooling and dehumidifying means, and means for maintaining the dry bulb and relative humidity conditions of the space at desired values comprising means responsive to the space dry bulb temperature and relative humidity for controlling both damper means to proportion properly the flow of air through the passages.

' JAMES S. LOCKE. 

